So what do you really think?

ranger4hunting · 08-26-2011, 09:57 PM

Since I've been listening to everyone on this site I've heard a lot of negativity about the Ranger especially the newer models. I'm on disability and have been saving for a new sxs and even though I won't be purchasing until this time or later next year I get a little nervous listening to all the complaints about your machines and the way Polaris has treated a lot of you. I'm looking and really like the Ranger 6x6 and I know not a lot of you own one but they are still a Ranger and put together the same way. I would like everyone honest opinion on whether this is a good investment. I know there is always the chance of getting a bad unit but that would mean a lot of you have the same luck I seem to have.

So what's your answer I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Russ Chastain · 08-26-2011, 10:49 PM

I can't testify about the new ones, but I really like my '06 500 4x4 and I'm very glad to own it. My buddy's '01 500 4x4 has treated him and another friend (the guy who sold it to my buddy) very well. But in light of all the complaints, I sure am glad that mine is an '06 500 and not a newer 700 or 800.

FWIW.

utvracr · 08-27-2011, 09:30 AM

I agree. I own an 08 500 and am very happy. Most of the complaints are from 700/800 s
I also think it has a lot on how you use your machine. Many are looking for speed and power. In the years I have had mine I used high range for about 200 yds. I am usually in low going through the woods and speed is not an option. I have never had a heat issue. I find it a good machine that gets this old guy over the hills and into the woods just fine

ranger4hunting · 08-27-2011, 09:33 AM

Thanks for giving me your opinion Russ. My brother in law has a 98 Ranger 6x6 and his kids put it through hell and it's still running strong it's been through a few belts but other than that it hasn't given him any problems. Hopefully by the time I'm ready to purchase Polaris will have the bugs worked out. I really like the new 6x6 with the tool box and independent suspension and looking at prices comparing other brands the Ranger is a good buy. When I add the options it is thousands less than the new Gator and Kabota set ups.

ranger4hunting · 08-27-2011, 11:12 AM

I agree with you utvracr these machines are built to have fun and work reasonably hard but not for high performance racing/jumping that's what the RZR is for. The other problem I'm seeing is people are asking for more and more power/speed and to do so the industry is dropping larger displacement motors in the same size machine that once had motors half to two thirds the size and the engine compartment and radiators area hasn't grown that much. With the amount of heat we have seen this summer in a lot of the country any machine is going to produce major amounts of heat and add the confined area and you get what people are complaining about. I'm not saying it doesn't need addressed with better shielding but the industry is trying to keep up with peoples demands and I think this is what happens when you try too quickly to get the product on dealer floors. It also sounds like the Polaris customer service/accessory department needs a major restructuring as well but that is something they have to work out before they start loosing customers. JMO

bertram31 · 08-27-2011, 01:09 PM

My Ranger Crew is 7 months old and only has 35 hours. The heat issue is un berable and the factory will do nothing, I had a blade break off the cooling fan at about 8 hours and as soon as I got it home from being fixed a speed sensor went out , Polaris took care of these things but when you spend the money to get top of the line equipment it make me wonder. I have friends with Mules and Gators who have had virtually no problems. I,m over 60 and am not hard on equipment and in spite of this still like it.
I took the 5 year extended warranty becaust I'm worried about something else happening

MortisFK · 08-28-2011, 09:02 AM

I think that most people write on boards when they have a problem, not when everything is going good. So you may get an unbalanced opinion from reading internet messageboards.

I got a 2011 800XP EPS back in April, and I have no complaints at all. I don't have any of the heat issues, even while riding for 4 hours straight during a poker run when it was 85 degrees out. I haven't had anything break or need fixed, so I cannot comment on the Polaris support. My machine is used more for work than play, so I spend most of the time in the yard or woods in low range. I do maintenance as scheduled and wash it when needed, and it has been a great machine.

In my opinion, the problems you read about are either due to owner abuse, or a few bad eggs out there. I really don't think these problems are the norm. I have 2 other friends that have 2010 800XP and neither has had any trouble with theirs either. Hope this helps.

mikey · 08-28-2011, 06:21 PM

I have a 2010 Ranger Crew 800. Like you said the heat issue is there, but beside that issue. I really like mine. I too am over 60, and not hard on equipment at all. Use the dump box around the lake, and just tool around and taking friends here and there. I also have the extended warranty. Wouldn't have bought it, but was transfered with the machine. With all the talk about this and that, Glad I have the warranty. Broke a front boot cover, and hard to believe, they covered it. "So Knock on wood". Were good here. I absolutely don't regret buying it, but only had it since April. But put 700 miles on it and still counting.That's my two cents, now I'm broke

. So not everyone, dislikes Polaris. And I am a die hard Yamaha Man. First Polaris.

BrodyS · 08-28-2011, 08:57 PM

i bought a new 2011 33 days ago and i can say that this will be the last polaris i will ever own... i thought it was a great bike but with 150 miles on it jumps backing up and the heat on feet was just stupid... plus i have a jack*** for a dealer an he said o well u bought it live with it. i was fixing to buy my gf a 550 xp but now she may get a can-am and if i can get out from under this ranger i will be getting me somthing new... this has got to be the worst built bike on the road today...

Russ Chastain · 08-28-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrodyS

this has got to be the worst built bike on the road today...

Even if it's not a bike, eh? :-)

08-26-2011, 09:57 PM	#1
ranger4hunting Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 43	So what do you really think? Since I've been listening to everyone on this site I've heard a lot of negativity about the Ranger especially the newer models. I'm on disability and have been saving for a new sxs and even though I won't be purchasing until this time or later next year I get a little nervous listening to all the complaints about your machines and the way Polaris has treated a lot of you. I'm looking and really like the Ranger 6x6 and I know not a lot of you own one but they are still a Ranger and put together the same way. I would like everyone honest opinion on whether this is a good investment. I know there is always the chance of getting a bad unit but that would mean a lot of you have the same luck I seem to have. So what's your answer I'd appreciate your thoughts.

08-28-2011, 06:21 PM	#8
mikey Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: six lakes, mi. Posts: 49	I have a 2010 Ranger Crew 800. Like you said the heat issue is there, but beside that issue. I really like mine. I too am over 60, and not hard on equipment at all. Use the dump box around the lake, and just tool around and taking friends here and there. I also have the extended warranty. Wouldn't have bought it, but was transfered with the machine. With all the talk about this and that, Glad I have the warranty. Broke a front boot cover, and hard to believe, they covered it. "So Knock on wood". Were good here. I absolutely don't regret buying it, but only had it since April. But put 700 miles on it and still counting.That's my two cents, now I'm broke. So not everyone, dislikes Polaris. And I am a die hard Yamaha Man. First Polaris.

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08-26-2011, 10:49 PM	#2
Russ Chastain Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,075	I can't testify about the new ones, but I really like my '06 500 4x4 and I'm very glad to own it. My buddy's '01 500 4x4 has treated him and another friend (the guy who sold it to my buddy) very well. But in light of all the complaints, I sure am glad that mine is an '06 500 and not a newer 700 or 800. FWIW.

08-27-2011, 09:30 AM	#3
utvracr Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 106	I agree. I own an 08 500 and am very happy. Most of the complaints are from 700/800 s I also think it has a lot on how you use your machine. Many are looking for speed and power. In the years I have had mine I used high range for about 200 yds. I am usually in low going through the woods and speed is not an option. I have never had a heat issue. I find it a good machine that gets this old guy over the hills and into the woods just fine

08-27-2011, 09:33 AM	#4
ranger4hunting Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 43	Thanks for giving me your opinion Russ. My brother in law has a 98 Ranger 6x6 and his kids put it through hell and it's still running strong it's been through a few belts but other than that it hasn't given him any problems. Hopefully by the time I'm ready to purchase Polaris will have the bugs worked out. I really like the new 6x6 with the tool box and independent suspension and looking at prices comparing other brands the Ranger is a good buy. When I add the options it is thousands less than the new Gator and Kabota set ups.

08-27-2011, 11:12 AM	#5
ranger4hunting Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 43	I agree with you utvracr these machines are built to have fun and work reasonably hard but not for high performance racing/jumping that's what the RZR is for. The other problem I'm seeing is people are asking for more and more power/speed and to do so the industry is dropping larger displacement motors in the same size machine that once had motors half to two thirds the size and the engine compartment and radiators area hasn't grown that much. With the amount of heat we have seen this summer in a lot of the country any machine is going to produce major amounts of heat and add the confined area and you get what people are complaining about. I'm not saying it doesn't need addressed with better shielding but the industry is trying to keep up with peoples demands and I think this is what happens when you try too quickly to get the product on dealer floors. It also sounds like the Polaris customer service/accessory department needs a major restructuring as well but that is something they have to work out before they start loosing customers. JMO

08-27-2011, 01:09 PM	#6
bertram31 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 5	My Ranger Crew is 7 months old and only has 35 hours. The heat issue is un berable and the factory will do nothing, I had a blade break off the cooling fan at about 8 hours and as soon as I got it home from being fixed a speed sensor went out , Polaris took care of these things but when you spend the money to get top of the line equipment it make me wonder. I have friends with Mules and Gators who have had virtually no problems. I,m over 60 and am not hard on equipment and in spite of this still like it. I took the 5 year extended warranty becaust I'm worried about something else happening

08-28-2011, 09:02 AM	#7
MortisFK Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 44	I think that most people write on boards when they have a problem, not when everything is going good. So you may get an unbalanced opinion from reading internet messageboards. I got a 2011 800XP EPS back in April, and I have no complaints at all. I don't have any of the heat issues, even while riding for 4 hours straight during a poker run when it was 85 degrees out. I haven't had anything break or need fixed, so I cannot comment on the Polaris support. My machine is used more for work than play, so I spend most of the time in the yard or woods in low range. I do maintenance as scheduled and wash it when needed, and it has been a great machine. In my opinion, the problems you read about are either due to owner abuse, or a few bad eggs out there. I really don't think these problems are the norm. I have 2 other friends that have 2010 800XP and neither has had any trouble with theirs either. Hope this helps.

08-28-2011, 08:57 PM	#9
BrodyS Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 7	i bought a new 2011 33 days ago and i can say that this will be the last polaris i will ever own... i thought it was a great bike but with 150 miles on it jumps backing up and the heat on feet was just stupid... plus i have a jack*** for a dealer an he said o well u bought it live with it. i was fixing to buy my gf a 550 xp but now she may get a can-am and if i can get out from under this ranger i will be getting me somthing new... this has got to be the worst built bike on the road today...